My latest stupid trick is to try and bend back the crankshaft of my new mower after I hit a cast-iron water meter cover in my front yard. Me and a friend took a sledge hammer and wailed on it until it was semi-straight. Put the new blade on it and it fired right up with hardly any vibration! Got most of the way through the yard before all he!! broke lose and shrapnel flying everywhere. Luckily the blade extension pieces just missed me and hit the house instead. I just ordered a new short block for $150.